‘I don’t think even Mama had as many guests as this. I don’t even know everyone who is here. I think some are friends of Jane’s, and of course there are some masters from Giggleswick School. It was only right that Luke asked them. It will do his standing at the school good. I do wish he had worn his dinner suit, though, instead of his cadet’s uniform,’ whispered Isabelle to James as he stood next to her, shaking hands with each guest and guiding them towards the drinks and food, which were being served by all the staff of Windfell.

‘Just how many people have you invited? And tell me, do you recognize the tall blond lad who’s with Jane? She keeps batting her eyelashes at him and I haven’t a clue who he is. He’s not in a dinner suit, so he can’t be one of yours.’ James smiled yet again at the incoming guests and glanced across at his daughter and her companion.

‘I haven’t got a clue who he is, but he is quite good-looking, although not well dressed. I’m just glad that she’s entertaining him, instead of sitting like a wallflower or telling everybody the virtues of the Suffragette movement.’ Isabelle smiled yet again and then looked out onto the driveway as the carriage from Crummock drove up. ‘Here’s the rest of the family. I hope Archie doesn’t speak out of turn, and I do hope Harriet has told Rosie that Ethan is not welcome.

‘Harriet, Danny and Papa, how lovely that you have joined us. And just look at you, Rosie, aren’t you beautiful – quite the young lady. You’ll be fighting the young men away from you.’ Isabelle kissed Harriet on the cheek and smiled at her family.

‘You’ve put on a good show, Isabelle; we could hear the band playing as we came past Stainforth. I hope you’ve invited your neighbours.’ Archie kissed his stepdaughter.

‘Yes, the neighbours have been invited. The Maudsleys are mingling somewhere, so you can catch up with them, Father, and I’m sure you will know more people than I do. Rosie, Jane is over there in the corner, if you wish to join her. Although she seems to be giving all her attention to a certain young man, who I must admit seems familiar, though I’m sure I don’t know him.’ She smiled at Rosie, who struggled to reply to her and wasn’t looking at where Jane was. Isabelle looked at Harriet, realizing that her request that Ethan did not attend had not been popular with her niece. ‘I’m so glad you could all come. It’s quite like old times.’ She smiled as Harriet passed Thomson her wrap and put her arm through Danny’s.